FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hey guys,
So im planning on getting some driftwood for my 20 gal, but i dont know too much about it. i know im supposed to boil it for an hour (if its real) but where is the best place to get a nice piece? Aqau bid, ebay? Also, how do you know if it is safe for the fish? I have panda corys who will no doubt play in it! Also, i was wondering if i decide to go with a fake piece , where is the best to get some, my lfs dont have any nice pieces and neither did pet smart! Anything will help!
Sam

Dr. Foster and Smith Has real drift wood just for aquariums. They have 2 species of wood to choose from Malaysian and African. Both in various sizes.

I got a piece of their Malaysian and was not disappointed.

They also have fake/resin pieces to choose from.

If you can't boil it. IE you don't have a pot big enough, I would soak it in a sink or a big bucket for several days. Then after it gets nice and water logged I would bake it around 250 F for an hr. Keep an eye on it the entire time it is baking. Some of the smaller end parts might start to gt crispy.

If that happens, just use a sharp knife to trim the burned part off.

Last edited by Shannen at 11-Mar-2005 14:25

Do NOT bake the wood after waterlogging it (waterlogging may take up to a month, possibly longer). Baking it will make all the water evaporate and then you'll have to re waterlog it, bake it before waterlogging it.

The point of water logging it is, to help keep the wood from burning.

If it's not good and moist you risk a lot of burn marks.

Just bake it at a lower temperature for longer before hand, cause by baking it once it is waterlogged, you're making the whole process last twice as long.

When I baked my driftwood I soaked it for a bit, but it wasnt' fully water logged. The important thing is to keep an eye on it. I used a temp of 150F if you're more comfortable with lower temps. Then when the woods removed place it in warm or hot water right away.

^_^

[hr width='40%'] "Ah, yes," said the toad. "You've got Nac Mac Feegles!"

if I got driftwood from my lfs would i still need 2 soak it etc?

It's reccomended as even in a LFS you can get pollutants on the wood. So scrubbing or soaking will @least be recomended
Depending on the type of wood it is you'll also likely need to soak in warm to hot water to remove tannins (if you prefer) and to get it to sink.

^_^


[hr width='40%'] "Ah, yes," said the toad. "You've got Nac Mac Feegles!"

Time for me to post my Bogwood article again ... watch this space ...

Here we go ...

This should answer lots of questions about bogwood/driftwood and similar furnishings all in one compact(ish) package


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I just leave it in a tub of water for a week, with some weight on it & see if it "drowns". If it still floats, i'll leave it fo another week & change the water every 3/4 days. If it's a small piece, i'll boil it for 15-20 min & then i'll leave it to sink.



http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos

http://www.deathbydyeing.org/




http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com